Attorney general applies to quash Hillsborough inquest verdicts

The attorney general Dominic Grieve has formally applied to the High Court for the verdicts of the original Hillsborough disaster inquests to be quashed.

A total of 96 people lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster (Picture: Getty)

Mr Grieve said there was a ‘good case’ to quash the accidental death verdicts following a damning report that revealed a cover-up and attempt to shift the blame on to the victims.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans were killed following the April 15, 1989, disaster at Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium during the FA Cup semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest.

‘I believe that the case for the High Court to quash the original inquests is a good one,’ Mr Grieve said, adding that he planned to appear in the High Court himself to petition for new inquests.

‘My application has now been lodged with the Court. It is my intention to appear to argue the case at the hearing that will take place in the High Court.’

If the High Court accepts the attorney general’s application it can order new inquests in the district where they were originally heard, in this case either Sheffield or Doncaster, but the Hillsborough families want any new inquests held in Liverpool.

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, whose 18-year-old son James died in the Hillsborough disaster, said: ‘We have waited over 20-years for these verdicts to be overturned and I’m sure all the families will be delighted to hear that these steps are being taken.

‘It is a great step towards getting the justice we have fought for.’

Last week MPs approved new powers for the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is investigating actions of up to 2,400 retired or serving officers, to compel serving officers or staff on other bodies to attend interviews.